Search and Rescue for a missing fishing boat
MEDIA RELEASE 13th MARCH 2015
AT around 11:56 PM last night Thursday 12 March Tonga Police was alerted by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCC) about a live beacon that was activated from a fishing boat here in Tonga.
Tonga Police advises the Tonga Meteorological & Coastal Radio Services and the Tonga Navy while awaiting the arrival of the Orion P-3 from New Zealand for an aerial Search of the missing fishing boat.
The Orion P-3 arrives at around 0520 and located the missing fishing boat at approximately 54 Nautical Miles South from Fua’amotu. Contact was established and confirmed there are 4 men on board.
It is understood that the 4 fishermen are well while the boat’s engine failed to work. At the moment they have anchored the boat awaiting Rescue.
Tonga Navy Vessel VOEA Neiafu left Nuku’alofa this morning Friday 13th at 1035 AM heading to the location of the missing boat for a Rescue Operation.
No further details about the 4 fishermen or the fishing boat are available at this moment as RCC confirmed the active beacon is not registered.
An update of the Rescue Operation will be released further today when we established contacts again with The Tonga Navy Vessel VOEA Neiafu.
ENDS
Issued by the: Tonga Police Media & Communication Officer,
Tonga Police Headquarters, Longolongo,
(676) 23 318, Fax: (676) 23 036; for media enquiries – Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
